*Still* bleeding on Alesse -- what should I try next?

[asleepandbored.livejournal.com]

So I'm on my 4th month of Alesse, and I've been bleeding for the past 6 weeks. One of those weeks was my withdrawal bleed week, but the rest of the time I've been constantly spotting or have had a light period. I've been at least spotting for the entire time that I've been on Alesse, which i understand is common for the first three months. I started taking the pill so I would bleed less, so this is beyond irritating. Also, my skin is normally completely clear but I've found that it's been getting oilier, which I assume has something to do with Alesse's androgenic effects.

I suspect that this means that it's time for my doctor and I to look into putting me on a pill with 30mcg of estrogen, but I have some concerns: I don't want the increased estrogen to cause me to gain weight (I'm 5'6" and 140 lbs and would be fucking livid if I were to gain anymore weight -- I'm trying to lose weight as it is), or to worsen my depression which I'm currently on Zoloft for. Given the emotional issues, I guess that a tri-phasic is out of the question (OTC made me super nauseous when I was on it a few years ago), so what monophasic should I be looking at to stave off bloating and weight gain? Yasmin? Can I stay on a low-dose pill?

Comments

[archangelbeth]

Yow... I don't know the pill answers (though I'm sure some better-informed people will be along soon), but I've got this hobby horse here... if you're combining weight loss difficulties, menstrual irregularities, and depression, has your doctor checked your thyroid?

(I was in denial of my hypothyroidism. My mom harassed me into getting it checked. Now I take a little green pill every day to replace what my body won't make on its own, and feel much better. Instant recipe for an annoying convert!)

In any case, my sympathies for the lack of success with Alesse, and good luck to you!

[carllyy.livejournal.com]

I had very similar issues on Alesse. I just wouldn't stop spotting. I also suffer from depression which I am on Wellbutrin XL for.

You could try asking your doctor about Demulen 30 (I'm in Canada so I'm not sure if it's the same in the U.S). I didn't gain any weight on this pill, it didn't affect my depression and I never have break through bleeding. I can also skip periods with no spotting which I never thought I would be able to do.

Demulen 30 isn't a low does pill, but it may be one worth looking into.

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

It might help you out to know that, with the exception of Depo Provera, there is no direct connection (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Hormonal_Birth_Control#Weight.3F) between HBC and weight gain. Basically, when a control group is accounted for, women simply tend to gain weight over time -- whether or not they're on HBC. Of course, no one can guarantee that any one person won't gain weight on any one formulation, but as a rule, people on HBC tend to gain the same amount of weight as do people who aren't on it. :)